US formalizes withdrawal of troops from Somalia Inbox

WASHINGTON, USA - The Department of Defense has published for the first time a news release that expresses intentions to withdraw over 700 soldiers who have been serving in Somalia, a country struggling with frequent Al-Shabaab attacks and some traces of IS-Somalia raids. 

In the statement, the department said outgoing President Donald Trump had "ordered" withdrawal of soldiers from the war-torn nation by early 2021, in a move that could compromise gains made by the allied forces, including those from the African Union Mission in Somalia. 

But the department was a bit skeptical, claiming that the move is meant to "reposition the majority of personnel and assets" out of Somalia. The New York Times had reported that most of the affected troops will be relocated to Kenya and Djibouti where the US uses as strategic bases in the same war. 

"The U.S. is not withdrawing or disengaging from Africa. We remain committed to our African partners and enduring support through a whole-of-government approach," reads the release, which was published for the first time on Nov. 4, a day after the US voted for Democratic candidate Joe Biden as the next president. 

"While a change in force posture, this action is not a change in U.S. policy. We will continue to degrade violent extremist organizations that could threaten our homeland while ensuring we maintain our strategic advantage in great power competition," the department adds. 

Although the department did not reveal the countries where the over 700 troops in Somalia will be repositioned, it, however, insisted that they will continue staying in East Africa, an affirmation to NYT reports that they will be in Kenya and Djibouti. The two countries are home to US drones that are used in striking Al-Shabaab bases. 

"As a result of this decision, some forces may be reassigned outside of East Africa," reads the statement. "However, the remaining forces will be repositioned from Somalia into neighboring countries to allow cross-border operations by both U.S. and partner forces to maintain pressure against violent extremist organizations operating in Somalia."

"The U.S. will retain the capability to conduct targeted counterterrorism operations in Somalia, and collect early warnings and indicators regarding threats to the homeland," it adds. 

US troops who work under the Africa Command are integral in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The team launches airstrikes besides training the elite Danab Special Forces, who have been playing a great role in the liberation of several strategic towns within the country. 

Since January, the Command has conducted close to 46 airstrikes within Somalia, killing over 70 Al-Shabaab militants, the majority of the senior commanders, who are linked to sophisticated raids against the Somali National Army [SNA], AMISOM, US Africa Command, and civilians. 

Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. forces in Africa, vowed that American forces would, rather than stand back, “intensify pressure” on al-Shabaab from their new locations. “This action is not a withdrawal and an end to our efforts but a reposition to continue our efforts in East Africa,” Gen. Townsend said in a written statement.

But the latest move has been criticized by several stakeholders, among them President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who warned in October that such a move could paralyze efforts to stabilize Somalia, which still struggles with Al-Shabaab resurgence in the central and southern part of the country. 

Col. Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh, a former commander with the Danab Special Forces, also told the Wall Street Journal that the move is "completely misguided" adding that it will erode confidence in the war against Al-Shabaab militants, who have been significantly weakened. 

“It will definitely impact the security situation on several fronts,” Col. Abdullahi said in an email. “The terror group, al-Shabaab, will claim the withdrawal as a victory and that they have succeeded in ‘getting rid’ of their strongest ‘adversary.’”

Col. Abdullahi said that U.S. strikes keep militant groups at bay and provide the Somali government with “breathing space” required to strengthen its military. Even if U.S. forces continue to carry out airstrikes from neighboring countries, they will be handicapped in their ability to gather intelligence and plan and execute operations against top al-Shabaab leadership, he said.

GAROWE ONLINE